Vaporized Medicants and Methods of Use

ABSTRACT

A method and formulation for delivering an active compound in a vaporized state using low temperatures to vaporize the formulation. The formulation contains an inert non-reactive compound that lowers the heat of vaporization of the formulation, and the active compound. The formulation may optionally contain glycerin, alcohol, and/or water. Examples of inert non-reactive compounds that can sufficiently lower the heat of vaporization of the formulation include propylene glycol and polysorbate. The formulation can be vaporized using a hand-held low temperature vaporizer or atomizer

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This patent application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser.No. 13/653,320, filed on Oct. 16, 2012, which is a continuation-in-partof U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/858,382, filed Aug. 17, 2010 (nowU.S. Pat. No. 8,287,922), which claims the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 61/234,562, filed Aug. 17, 2009, whichapplications are incorporated in their entirety here by this reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to methods and formulations for vaporizingmedicants and uses thereof.

BACKGROUND

When faced with a condition giving rise to bodily discomfort, such as adiseased state, disorder, ailment, normal bodily disruptions, and thelike, most people turn to medication, such as drugs, supplements, herbs,and the like for immediate relief from the symptoms that arise from theunderlying condition. There are certain legal and widely availableover-the-counter (OTC) medications and supplements that have beneficialeffects when used for a variety of common conditions. There are alsocertain controlled narcotics and pharmaceuticals prescribed by doctorsfor a variety of more serious conditions.

One of the most common routes of administration of these OTC andprescription drugs is oral administration. However, as with any oraldelivery of medication, it must pass through the digestive tract. Thereare a number of disadvantages of oral administration. For example,because the drug has to pass through the digestive system, the onset ofactivation of the drug is slow. In addition, in the digestive tract thedrug may be inactivated or destroyed, and therefore, lose its potency orefficacy. The drug itself can also cause problems in the digestivetract, or side effects, such as loss of appetite, diarrhea, acidity, andthe like. Furthermore, patients may be reluctant or unable to swallow apill.

Other routes of delivery exist, such as intradermal injections, patchapplications, inhalations, and the like. Each of these has its ownadvantages and disadvantages. Therefore, there is still room forimproving routes of administration of drugs.

For example, there are varieties of medicants which are safer, moreeffective, and more efficient with respect to efficacy if theiringestion is via inhalation of a vapor containing the medicant or itsactive ingredient rather than by gastrointestinal, intravenous orintramuscular delivery. However, most vaporization methodologies forinhalation are done at relatively high temperatures and, as a result,present risks or hurdles to either the efficacy of the medicant or thewell-being of the user.

Certain medicants are intended to affect the brain or the brain'sactions or activities but, given the accepted method of ingestion-gastrointestinal, intravenous, or intramuscular- these medicants canalso have a variety of discomforting side effects due to the nature ofingestion or injection. These include, but are not limited to:gastro-intestinal complications, digestive disorders, high bloodpressure, and/or headaches.

Additionally, certain methods to vaporize and deliver these medicantshave drawbacks as well, specifically those that vaporize the medicantitself, changing the molecular or chemical structure of the medicant orthose that vaporize an excipient at a high temperature, once againchanging the molecular or chemical structure of the excipient andraising the risk of changing the chemical structure of the medicant whenit interacts with the vaporized excipient.

In order to ensure that the medicant is delivered intact via inhalationit is critical that the method of vaporization does not change thechemical or fundamental molecular structure of the medicant orexcipient. Therefore, there is still a need for improving the routes ofadministration of drugs. In particular, there is still a need forimproving inhalers that can meter exact dosages without destroying theactive ingredient.

SUMMARY

The invention of the present application discloses a method andformulation that can generate a vapor state of a medicant or activeingredient metered at precise dosages without destroying or damaging themedicant or active ingredient, or the excipient solution. In particular,a formulation has been devised in which the solution can be vaporized ata low, focused temperature that ensures vaporization of the excipientand not of the active ingredient; allowing for the inhalation of aspecific, accurate serving or dose of the active ingredient via an inertexcipient. Specifically, an excipient with a low vaporizationtemperature may be combined with an active ingredient that may have ahigher vaporization temperature. In such a combination, the vaporizingexcipient effectively acts as a carrier for the active ingredient. Whenthe combination is heated to a temperature sufficient to vaporize theexcipient, the excipient vapor carries molecules of the activeingredient along with it. Thus, the active ingredient is effectively“vaporized” at a temperature that is usually considerably lower thanneeded to vaporize the active ingredient alone.

In one embodiment, a method for medicant delivery is providedcomprising: providing a medicant solution suitable for vaporization in acompact handheld device; providing the compact handheld device;vaporizing the medicant at a low temperature upon activation by a usersuch that an effective serving of the medicant is provided to the user.

In another embodiment, a medicant solution is provided for use in avaporization delivery mechanism, the solution comprising: water;alcohol; an inert non-reactive compound; and an active ingredient. Insome embodiments, the water and alcohol are optional. In someembodiments, the medicant solution may include glycerin (vegetable orotherwise) and/or flavoring. The medicant solution is formulated suchthat it can be vaporized at a low temperature in a sufficient quantityto provide an effective serving of the active ingredient to a user.

The method and solution is designed to be used with a delivery devicesuch as that described in U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 13/453,939;13/044,355; and 61/470,460 which applications are incorporated in theirentirety here by this reference.

Accordingly, the method and formulation can be used to vaporize avariety of medicants, preferably, medicants directed primarily towardneuro-activity. For example, these medicants include, but are notlimited to, caffeine; alkaloids, such as yohimbine and codeine;hormones, such as melatonin and serotonin-classified; antihistamines,such as diphenhydramine; opioids, such as morphine and oxycodone;nootropics, such as piracetam; and amino acids, such asgamma-Aminibutyric acid (GABA).

These medicants can be further classified by their consumer/patient useon a PRN (as needed) basis. These classes include 1) sleepaids—melatonin and GABA; 2) motion sickness antidote—diphenhydramine; 3)energy and alertness aids—caffeine; 4) analgesics—morphine, codeine andoxycodone; and, 5) sexual aids—yohimbine.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following detailed description. It should beunderstood, however, that the detailed description and the specificexamples, while indicating the preferred embodiments of the presentinvention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changesand modifications within the spirit and scope of the present inventionwill become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detaileddescription.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The detailed description set forth below is intended as a description ofpresently-preferred embodiments of the invention and is not intended torepresent the only forms in which the present invention may beconstructed or utilized. The description sets forth the functions andthe sequence of steps for constructing and operating the invention. Itis to be understood, however, that the same or equivalent functions andsequences may be accomplished by different embodiments that are alsointended to be encompassed within the spirit and scope of the invention.

In order to fully understand the manner in which the above-reciteddetails and other advantages and objects according to the invention areobtained, a more detailed description of the invention will be renderedby reference to specific embodiments thereof.

In one embodiment, a medicant solution is provided comprising anexcipient and an active ingredient, in which the excipient can bevaporized at low temperatures relative to temperatures required bytypical vaporizers. In another embodiment, a medicant delivery method isprovided comprising providing a medicant solution that can be vaporizedat low temperatures, and providing a device for vaporization of themedicant solution such that a user can absorb the vaporized solution viaactivation of the vaporization device to deliver an effective serving ofmedicant to a user.

While an effective serving, effective dose, or therapeutically effectiveamount of a medicant may vary depending upon the particular physiologyof the user, for example, the user's weight or body make-up, as usedherein, the phrases effective serving, effective dose, andtherapeutically effective amount (used interchangeably) means an amountsufficient such that the user experiences the intended positive effectsexperienced when the medicant is delivered through other known methods.In one aspect of this embodiment the effective serving can be deliveredin as little as one activation of the delivery device by the user, andin other aspects the effective serving may be delivered through multipleactivations of the delivery device by the user over 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7,8, 9, 10 or more minutes of use in a manner similar to the useassociated with using a portable, handheld aerosol breath freshener.

Alternatively, the effective serving can be delivered over a specifiednumber of activations of the delivery device by the user. Further, thenumber of activations can occur over a specified time period. Forexample, delivery of an effective serving can be provided with 1, 2, 3,4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, or 20activations. For example, the effective does may be delivered in 1-20activations, 5-15 activations, 12-20 activations, 12-18 activations orabout 15 activations, any of which can occur in a 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7,8, 9, 10, or 20 minute period. Some embodiments will be formulatedand/or configured such that the effective does is delivered as quicklyas possible, and other embodiments can be formulated and/or configuredsuch that the effective does is delivered in about the same time andmanner as if one were using a portable, handheld aerosol breathfreshener.

In various embodiments, a single serving may be delivered in less than50 activations, about 1-50 activations, about 1-20 activations, about5-15 activations or about 8-10 activations. The single serving mayinclude greater than about 0.5 mg, from about 0.5 mg to about 100 mg,from about 0.5 mg to about 50 mg, from about 0.5 mg to about 20 mg, fromabout 0.5 to about 10 mg, from about 5 mg to about 10 mg, or about 5 mgof the medicant solution.

The formulation of the medicant solution comprises an active ingredientand an excipient capable of vaporizing at low temperatures. When themedicant solution is heated, the excipient vaporizes at a relatively lowtemperature, carrying the active ingredient with it. Even though theactive ingredient may have a higher vaporization temperature, theexcipient vapor transports molecules of the active ingredient,delivering the active ingredient to the user at a low temperature.

The excipient may comprise one or more of an inert non-reactivecompound, e.g., propylene glycol, such that the medicant solution can bevaporized for activation by a user. In some embodiments, the excipientmay further comprise water and/or alcohol. In some embodiments, water ispresent at a concentration of about 0.01% to about 20% of the excipient.More preferably, water is present at about 2% to about 18%. Morepreferably, water is present at about 5% to about 15%. Most preferably,water is present at about 10% of the excipient.

In some embodiments, alcohol is present at a concentration of about0.01% to about 20% of the excipient. More preferably, alcohol is presentat about 2% to about 18%. More preferably, alcohol is present at about5% to about 15%. Most preferably, alcohol is present at about 10% of theexcipient.

In the preferred embodiment, once the other components of the excipienthave been added, the remainder of the solution may be propylene glycol.

In some embodiments, polysorbate may be added to the excipient, such aspolysorbate 20, 40, 60, 65, or 80. Polysorbate may be present at about1% to about 30% of the excipient. Preferably, polysorbate is present atabout 5% to about 20%. More preferably, polysorbate is present at about5% to about 15% or about 10% to about 15%. Without being bound bytheory, it is believed that polysorbate provides a more robust vaporupon vaporization, reduces the heat of vaporization, and producessmaller vapor molecules, thereby achieving deeper lung penetration uponinhalation.

In another aspect of the invention, the excipient solution may furthercomprise glycerin. In the preferred embodiment, glycerin may be presentat about 1% to about 30% of the excipient. More preferably, glycerin maybe present at about 5% to about 20%. More preferably, glycerin may bepresent at about 5% to about 10% or about 10% to about 15% of theexcipient. Without being limited by theory, it is believed that theaddition of glycerin provides a more robust vapor upon vaporization ofthe product.

In another aspect of this invention, the medicant solution furthercomprises flavoring.

The medicant solution is formulated such that an effective serving ofthe active ingredient can be delivered to a user in a specified timeperiod when the medicant solution is vaporized and inhaled by the user.In one aspect of this embodiment the effective serving can be deliveredover a specified time period when the solution is vaporized without theaddition of heat.

Depending on the form of the active ingredient the medicant solution maybe prepared by combining a tincture of an active ingredient with theexcipient. In some embodiments, the medicant solution may be prepared bycontacting the active ingredient with the excipient. In other words, themedicant solution is prepared by extracting the active ingredient fromits source (for example, herbs, plants, roots, etc.) with the excipient.The final concentration of the active ingredient may be controlled bythe time, temperature, and pressure at which the source is in contactwith the excipient.

For example, to promote the leaching or extracting of the activeingredient from its source, various methods may be employed to contactthe source with the excipient, including maximizing the surface area ofthe source. In one embodiment, the source is formed in the shape of amesh screen through which the excipient is passed. While the excipientis passed through the source, the active ingredient is extracted fromthe source into the excipient. In other configurations, the source isformed to provide the maximum surface area for contact with theexcipient yet still allow flow of the excipient through the source andinto a vaporization device. Examples of other configurations for use inmaximizing the surface area of the source for contact with the excipientinclude spirally winding the source, converting the source into pellets,converting the source into powder, or encapsulating the source in aporous, filter-like material, which will allow the excipient to flowthrough the source-encapsulate allowing the active ingredient to leachinto the excipient from its source. Leaching and/or extracting may alsobe promoted through modifying the temperature of the excipient or thepressure under which the excipient is contacted with the source.

In some embodiments the excipient and the medicant source are contactedimmediately prior to vaporization. In other embodiments the excipientand medicant source can be contacted over an extended period of timeprior to vaporization. For example, the medicant source can be providedimmersed in the excipient such that the excipient has been in contactwith the medicant source for an extended period of time prior tovaporization. In such examples, the leaching or extraction of the activeingredient can be promoted by varying the conditions or other parametersduring contact of the excipient with the medicant source. The medicantsource can be removed from the formed medicant solution prior toproviding the medicant solution to the end consumer for inclusion in adevice for vaporization, or immediately prior to vaporization bydraining the medicant solution from the medicant source.

The medicant solution is then vaporized by activation of a vaporizationor delivery device by the user. Examples of vaporizers (particularly,hand-held low temperature vaporizer) or delivery devices that may beused to vaporize the medicant solution are disclosed in U.S. patentapplication Ser. Nos. 13/453,939; 13/044,355; 61/470,460, incorporatedherein by reference. Other devices may be used, which include atomizersor other vaporizers known in the art or combinations thereof.Vaporization or atomization can be performed with or without theaddition of heat to the solution. For example, the solution to bevaporized can first be atomized providing for ease of vaporizationwithout the addition of heat. In one aspect a low temperature vaporizeris provided. Low temperature means temperatures of the heating elementof a vaporizer that is lower than traditional temperatures used. Forexample, traditional temperatures rely on heating elements that reach300 degrees Celsius (C) or higher. Therefore, low temperatures meantemperatures less than 250 degrees C. Preferably, low temperatures meantemperatures from approximately 100 degrees C. to approximately 250degrees C. Preferably, low temperatures may be from approximately 180degrees C. to approximately 250 degrees C. More preferably, lowtemperatures may be from approximately 180 degrees C. to approximately225 degrees C. Even more preferably, low temperatures may be fromapproximately 180 degrees C. to approximately 200 degrees C.

These low temperatures also refer to the heat of vaporization of themedicant solution, where the heat of vaporization means the temperatureat which the medicant solution vaporizes from a liquid state to agaseous state. Therefore, the heat of vaporization for the medicantsolution is from approximately 100 degrees C. to approximately 280degrees C. Preferably, the heat of vaporization for the medicantsolution is from 180 degrees C. to approximately 250 degrees C. Morepreferably, the heat of vaporization for the medicant solution is from180 degrees C. to 225 degrees C. Even more preferably, low temperaturesmay be from approximately 180 degrees C. to approximately 200 degrees C.In some embodiments that use an excipient with a lower heat ofvaporization, low temperatures for vaporization may be preferably from100 C to 200 C, and more preferably from 110 C to 180 C, and even morepreferably, from 120 C to 150 C.

In another embodiment, a device for implementing the medicant deliverymethods set forth herein is provided comprising a shell, a mouthpiece,an air inlet provided on the external wall of the shell, a cell, anelectronic circuit board, a normal pressure cavity, a sensor, anatomizer, a solution reservoir, a medicant reservoir, a solution streampassage, a negative pressure cavity provided in the sensor, anatomization cavity arranged in the atomizer, and an aerosol passage,wherein the solution reservoir is in contact with the medicant reservoirand the atomizer, and the air inlet, normal pressure cavity, atomizer,aerosol passage, gas vent and mouthpiece are interconnected.

In another embodiment, a device for implementing the medicant deliverymethods set forth herein is provided comprising a shell, a mouthpiece,an air inlet provided on the external wall of the shell, a cell, anelectronic circuit board, a normal pressure cavity, a sensor, anatomizer, a solution reservoir, a solution stream passage, a negativepressure cavity provided in the sensor, an atomization cavity arrangedin the atomizer, and an aerosol passage, wherein the solution reservoiris in contact with the atomizer, and the air inlet, normal pressurecavity, atomizer, aerosol passage, gas vent and mouthpiece areinterconnected. The solution reservoir may be configured to retain amedicant solution and medicant, or medicant solution that has previousbeen contacted with medicant.

In some embodiments the device is provided in the configuration of acigar or cigarette. In other embodiments the device is provided in otherconfigurations such that the device can be readily distinguished from acigar or cigarette.

In some embodiments, the delivery device is a hand-held, personalportable device that is disposable. Moreover, in some embodiments themethod of vaporization uses low temperatures to vaporize the medicantsolution.

In another embodiment a disposable cartridge is provided comprising amedicant solution or medicant (or active ingredient) and an excipient asset forth herein. The cartridge can include one or more servings ofmedicant as set forth herein. In one aspect of this embodiment thecartridge can include between about 5-50 servings, between about 5-25servings, between about 10-25 servings, between about 10-50 servings,between about 10-20 servings of medicant.

Ingestion via vapor inhalation provides effects within 30 to 90 seconds.The quick, efficient method of inhalation ingestion provides for lowerdoses and significantly minimizes the risk of over dosing and itsattendant complications, as the effects are almost immediately felt.This reduces the tendency to take more medication before the effectshave set on as in the case of orally ingested drugs that are absorbedthrough the digestive tract. Accordingly, the invention of the presentapplication provides users with an easy-to-use, convenient medicantproduct.

EXAMPLES

Examples of medicants or active ingredients that can be used with thepresent invention include but are not limited to, caffeine; alkaloids,such as yohimbine and codeine; hormones, such as melatonin andserotonin-classified; antihistamines, such as diphenhydramine; opioids,such as morphine and oxycodone; nootropics, such as piracetam; aminoacids, such as gamma-Aminibutyric acid (GABA); and appetitesuppressants, such as green tea and hoodia.

Caffeine is an alkaloid, a bitter substance found in coffee, tea, softdrinks, chocolate, kola nuts, and certain medicines. It has many effectson the body's metabolism, including stimulating the central nervoussystem. This makes the consumer more alert and provides a boost ofenergy. Accordingly, caffeine may be used as the medicant in theinvention of the present application.

Diphenhydramine is a first generation antihistamine mainly used to treatallergies and available in over the counter, non-prescriptivemedications like Benadryl. Like most other first generationantihistamines, the drug also has a powerful hypnotic effect, and forthis reason is often used as a non-prescription sleep aid.Diphenhydramine is thought to block the re-uptake of histamineneurotransmitters, thereby causing histamine to build up in the spacescalled synapses that are present between nerve cells. This leads tosedative effects. Diphenhydramine works both centrally within the brainas well as in peripheral nerve cells in other parts of the body. Itpossesses other effects and can counter nausea due to motion sickness.

Among the traditional methods for ingesting diphenhydramine as a sleepaid is by mouth in various and readily available digestible compounds.It would be more effective, quicker acting and less likely to causegastro-intestinal distress or discomfort if diphenhydramine were morequickly transported to the brain through the cardio-pulmonary system byingesting and inhaling a vaporized product containing Diphenhydramine. Afast-acting diphenhydramine may be particularly useful for relievingmotion sickness in progress, or as a sleep aid taken at or afterbedtime. Accordingly, Diphenhydramine may be used as the medicant in theinvention of the present application.

Melatonin is a naturally occurring compound, a hormone, found inanimals, plants, and microbes. In animals, melatonin is made by thepineal gland, a small gland in the brain. Very small amounts of it arefound in foods such as meats, grains, fruits, and vegetables. It can bepurchased as a dietary supplement.

Circulating levels of melatonin vary in a daily cycle, therebyregulating the circadian rhythms of several biological functions,including controlling the sleep wake cycles. Many biological effects ofmelatonin are produced through activation of melatonin receptors, whileothers are due to its role as a pervasive and powerful antioxidant, witha particular role in the protection of nuclear and mitochondrial DNA.

Today, melatonin is used for a variety of purposes, but most often usedfor human sleep enhancement by regulating the sleep-wake cycle bycausing drowsiness and lowering body temperature and affecting thecentral nervous system.

Among the traditional methods or ingesting melatonin is by mouth invarious and readily available digestible compounds. When used as a sleepaid, melatonin is typically taken 30-60 minutes prior to bedtime, toallow the melatonin time to dissolve in the stomach and absorb into theblood stream to take effect. It would be more effective, quicker actingand less likely to cause gastro-intestinal distress or discomfort ifmelatonin were more quickly transported to the brain through thecardio-pulmonary system by ingesting and inhaling a vaporized productcontaining melatonin. A quick-acting melatonin would be particularlyhelpful as a sleep aid when taken at or after bedtime. Accordingly,melatonin may be used as the medicant in the present application.

GABA is traditionally known as an inhibitory neurotransmitter involvedin regulating neuronal communications through GABA receptors. GABA isnaturally occurring in the human body. Supplementing a diet with GABAmay have various benefits. Accordingly, GABA may be used as the medicantin the present application.

Morphine is regarded as the benchmark of analgesics used to relievesevere or agonizing pain and suffering. Morphine is the most abundantalkaloid found in opium. Like other opioids, e.g. morphine (OxyContin,Percocet, Percodan), hydromorphone (Dilaudid, Palladone), anddiacetylmorphine (heroin), morphine acts directly on the central nervoussystem (CNS) to relieve pain. Among the traditional methods or ingestingmorphine is by intravenous injection, traveling through the blood streamto the central nervous system. Morphine has a high potential foraddiction; tolerance and psychological dependence develop rapidly. Itwould be more effective, quicker acting and less likely to causegastro-intestinal distress or side effects such as itching, nausea,vomiting, drowsiness, dry mouth, miosis, orthostatic hypotension,urinary retention, depression and constipation if morphine was morequickly transported to the brain through the cardio-pulmonary system byingesting and inhaling a vaporized product containing morphineAccordingly, morphine may be used as a medicant in the invention of thepresent application.

Codeine is an opiate analgesic drug that is used to relieve moderate tosevere pain. Like morphine it is an alkaloid found in opium. Like otheropiates, codeine acts directly on the central nervous system (CNS) torelieve pain. Codeine has a high potential for addiction; tolerance andpsychological dependence develop rapidly. It would be more effective,quicker acting and less likely to cause side effects if codeine was morequickly transported to the brain through the cardio-pulmonary system byingesting and inhaling a vaporized product containing codeine.Accordingly, codeine may be used as a medicant in the invention of thepresent application.

Oxycodone is an opioid analgesic medication synthesized frompoppy-derived thebaine. It was developed in 1916 in Germany, as one ofseveral new semi-synthetic opioids in an attempt to improve on theexisting opioids, morphine and codeine. Oxycodone oral medications aregenerally prescribed for the relief of moderate to severe pain.Currently it is formulated as single ingredient products or compoundedproducts. Some common examples of compounding are oxycodone withacetaminophen/paracetamol or NSAIDs such as ibuprofen. The formulationsare available as generics but are also made under various brand names.

Among the traditional methods or ingesting oxycodone is by mouth invarious and readily available digestible compounds. It would be moreeffective, quicker acting and less likely to cause gastro-intestinaldistress or side effects such as itching, nausea, vomiting, drowsiness,dry mouth, miosis, orthostatic hypotension, urinary retention,depression and constipation if oxycodone was more quickly transported tothe brain through the cardio-pulmonary system by ingesting and inhalinga vaporized product containing oxycodone. Accordingly, oxycodone may bea medicant used in the invention of the present application.

When used for pain, inhaling an active ingredient, which is rapidlyeffective, may minimize a user from taking additional doses whilewaiting for pain relief. Such rapid effects may lead to lower dosing andless tendency to overmedicate, which may lead to less chance ofaddiction, and less complications from overmedication.

Yohimbe is the principal alkaloid of the bark of a West Indian evergreentree. It is used as a supplement to arouse sexual excitement, forerectile dysfunction (ED), sexual problems caused by medications fordepression called selective-serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), andgeneral sexual problems in both men and women. It is also used forathletic performance, weight loss, exhaustion, chest pain, high bloodpressure, low blood pressure that occurs when standing up, diabeticnerve pain, and for depression along with certain other medications.Yohimbe contains a chemical called yohimbine which can increase bloodflow and nerve impulses to the penis or vagina. It also helps counteractthe sexual side effects of certain medications used for depression.Yohimbe may be a medicant used in the invention of the presentapplication.

Appetite suppressants exist naturally in certain plants. For example,green tea and the hoodia plant are believed to contain activeingredients that can suppress appetite. Numerous other plants andchemical compounds are also believed to have appetite suppressantproperties. However, it may not be practical to consume enough of theseplant substances or extracts, such as green tea or hoodia, through thedigestive system to feel the full effects. In addition, a rapidly-actingappetite suppressant may be beneficial in helping a user counteractsudden urges to eat. Accordingly, green tea, hoodia, and other appetitesuppressant substances may be a medicant used in the invention of thepresent application, including with the extraction or leaching methodsdescribed herein.

Numerous other medicants can be used with the present invention. Assuch, the foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of theinvention has been presented for the purposes of illustration anddescription. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit theinvention to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications andvariations are possible in light of the above teaching. It is intendedthat the scope of the invention not be limited by this detaileddescription, but by the claims and the equivalents to the claimsappended hereto.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for delivering medicants through inhalation, comprising: a. acquiring a medicant solution suitable for vaporization at a low temperature, the medicant solution, comprising: i. an inert non-reactive compound comprising polysorbate, ii. melatonin, iii. water in an amount of approximately 0.01 percent to approximately 30 percent of the medicant solution, and iv. alcohol in an amount of approximately 0.01 percent to approximately 30 percent of the medicant solution; and b. vaporizing the medicant solution at the low temperature such that an effective serving of the melatonin is provided to the user for inhalation, wherein the low temperature is from approximately 90 degrees C. to approximately 250 degrees C., wherein the step of vaporizing the medicant solution comprises using a low temperature vaporizer.
 2. A method for delivering medicants through inhalation, comprising: a. acquiring a medicant solution suitable for vaporization at a low temperature, the medicant solution, comprising: i. an inert non-reactive compound, and ii. melatonin; and b. vaporizing the medicant solution at the low temperature such that an effective serving of the melatonin is provided to the user for inhalation, wherein the low temperature is from approximately 90 degrees C. to approximately 250 degrees C.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the step of vaporizing the medicant solution comprises using a low temperature vaporizer.
 4. The method of claim 2, wherein the medicant solution further comprises approximately 0.01 percent to approximately 30 percent water.
 5. The method of claim 2, wherein the medicant solution further comprises approximately 0.01 percent to approximately 30 percent alcohol.
 6. The method of claim 2, wherein the inert non-reactive compound is polysorbate.
 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the polysorbate is present in an amount of about 1 percent to about 30 percent of the medicant solution.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the polysorbate is present in an amount of about 5 percent to about 20 percent of the medicant solution.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the polysorbate is present in an amount of about 5 percent to about 15 percent of the medicant solution.
 10. A method for delivering medicants through inhalation, comprising: a. acquiring a medicant solution suitable for vaporization at a low temperature, the medicant solution, comprising: i. an inert non-reactive compound, and ii. a sleep aid; and b. vaporizing the medicant solution at the low temperature such that an effective serving of the sleep aid is provided to the user for inhalation, wherein the low temperature is from approximately 90 degrees C. to approximately 250 degrees C.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the step of vaporizing the medicant solution comprises using a low temperature vaporizer.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the inert non-reactive compound comprises polysorbate.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the medicant solution further comprises approximately 0.01 percent to approximately 30 percent alcohol.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the low temperature is from approximately 90 degrees C. to approximately 200 degrees C.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the low temperature is from approximately 100 degrees C. to approximately 160 degrees C.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the low temperature is from approximately 110 degrees C. to approximately 140 degrees C.
 17. The method of claim 10, wherein the medicant solution further comprises approximately 0.01 percent to approximately 30 percent water.
 18. The method of claim 10, wherein the medicant solution further comprises approximately 0.01 percent to approximately 30 percent alcohol.
 19. The method of claim 10, wherein the low temperature is from approximately 90 degrees C. to approximately 200 degrees C.
 20. The method of claim 10, wherein the low temperature is from approximately 100 degrees C. to approximately 160 degrees C. 